Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a serious medical emergency where the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye (the retina) pulls away from its normal position.

What is Retinal Detachment?

​Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the back of your eye. This causes loss of vision that can be partial or total, depending on how much of the retina is detached. When your retina becomes detached, its cells may be seriously deprived of oxygen. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Call your doctor right away if you suffer any sudden vision changes.
There’s a risk of permanent vision loss if retinal detachment is left untreated or if treatment is delayed.

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Why have I got retinal detachment?

A retinal detachment can occur at any age, but it is more common in people over age 40. A retinal detachment is also more likely to occur in people who:

• Are extremely nearsighted

• Have had a retinal detachment in the other eye

• Have a family history of retinal detachment

• Have had cataract surgery

• Have other eye diseases or disorders, such as retinoschisis, uveitis, degenerative myopia, or lattice degeneration

• Have had an eye injury

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What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?

There’s no pain associated with retinal detachment, but there are usually symptoms before your retina becomes detached. Primary symptoms include:

• Blurred vision

• Partial vision loss, which makes it seem as if a curtain has been pulled across your field of vision, with a dark shadowing effect.

• Sudden flashes of light that appear when looking to the side.

• Suddenly seeing many floaters, which are small bits of debris that appear as black flecks or strings floating before your eye.

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Procedure:

Retinal Detachment & Vitrectomy is usually performed with local anaesthetic. The vitreous jelly is removed through small 1mm cuts made in the sclera (the white of the eye). The jelly is broken up and very gently sucked out. The procedure can take 1-2 hours, depending on the reason for surgery. Once the jelly is removed, the retina is repaired, if necessary, any foreign bodies removed and, in the case of diabetics, any leaking blood vessels are sealed using laser treatment.
The jelly does not naturally replace itself and is substituted with one of the following:

• A gas bubble (this is naturally absorbed in 2-3 weeks).

• A special oil or heavy liquid which is not absorbed and surgically removed at a future date.

• Air (absorbed in 24-36 hours)

• A mixture of gas and air.

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The eye produces its own clear fluid known as aqueous humour which, once the gas or air is absorbed, will gradually fill the vitreous chambers.​

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Complications after surgery:

• Decreased vision

• Signs of infection including increasing pain, redness or swelling around the eye

• Any discharge from the operated eye.

• Any new floaters, flashes of light or other changes in your field of vision